It’s been far too long since our last “Save It” roundup, so I wanted to share an updated list of things we routinely skip and how those small choices add up to real savings. Over the years we’ve refined a lifestyle that feels like simplifying rather than sacrificing, and that mindset makes it easy to live without certain conveniences. Below is a clear, practical brain dump of habits and items we typically avoid—many of them are small adjustments that reduce monthly costs without impacting quality of life.
- Meat only a few nights a week: We cook vegetarian or plant-forward meals like pasta, bean burritos, vegetable stir-fries, homemade pizza, nachos, roasted sweet potatoes with salad, or grain bowls several nights a week. It’s healthier for us and cheaper than meat-heavy dinners every night.
- Fabric softener: We rarely use it—sometimes a splash of vinegar in the rinse cycle, but mostly just nothing. Clothes feel fine and the savings add up.
- Dusting sprays and specialty cleaners: Microfiber cloths and water do most of the work. Eliminating extra cleaning products reduces clutter and expense.
- Frequent dry cleaning: Almost all our clothing is washable by machine or hand. We limit dry cleaning to a once-a-year visit for a coat or specialty item instead of monthly trips.
- Professional dog grooming: For low-maintenance dogs we bathe them at home, trim nails ourselves, and save on grooming appointments.
- Printed newspapers: We get news online and via public radio. Digital access covers most needs without the recurring paper cost.
- Bottled water: We use a home filter and refill reusable bottles. This saves money and cuts plastic waste.
- Daily coffee shop runs: We make specialty drinks at home. A box of chai or a bag of quality coffee goes much farther than daily cafe purchases.
- Checked baggage fees: Packing light is a habit—one suitcase or a carry-on per person whenever possible. It’s a money- and time-saver when traveling.
- Styling products like gel and mousse: I stopped buying these years ago. A simple wash-and-go routine is cheaper and easier, and it helps avoid skincare breakouts for me.
- Lipstick and extensive makeup collections: I stick to a compact makeup kit with essentials and avoid collecting dozens of shades or palettes.
- Luxury creams and self-tanners: I embrace my natural skin tone and save on expensive skincare fads. Minimalism in beauty products lowers expenses and simplifies routines.
- Perfume and cologne: I’m happy with the scent of my shampoo and John doesn’t wear cologne—so we skip that recurring purchase.
- Frequent professional haircuts and coloring: We space salon visits out and do simple trims at home when appropriate. Cutting hair ourselves or keeping a basic cut reduces salon bills.
- Regular salon manicures and pedicures: I usually do polish at home and reserve salon visits for rare treats—once a year or so. It’s a noticeable ongoing saving.
- Gym membership for everyone: I prefer outdoor and at-home workouts instead of a membership, while John chooses to keep his. Pick what you’ll actually use to avoid wasted fees.
- Routine alcohol purchases: Alcohol is not a regular household expense for us—sometimes a bottle for special occasions, not a monthly habit.
- Disposable diapers: For those who can, cloth diapering cuts recurring costs. It’s a personal choice but it’s a significant long-term saving.
- A dedicated diaper bag: I used a regular purse with essentials stashed in the car instead of buying a separate bag.
- Incandescent bulbs: Switching to CFLs and LEDs throughout the home uses less energy and saves on utility bills. We’re gradually replacing all fixtures with LEDs over time.
- A second car: One vehicle works for our household because of flexible work arrangements and local needs. Skipping a second car saves on purchase price, insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
Small, intentional cuts like these free up money for priorities we value: home improvement projects, higher-quality groceries, cable or streaming services we actually use, and the occasional splurge. The point isn’t to deny yourself everything, but to balance spending so the things that matter more receive the budget they deserve. What do you skip to save money? Share your list—no judgment here; we all make trade-offs that work for our households.
For more ideas, search for money-saving tips, frugal living strategies, and simple lifestyle changes to lower your monthly expenses and build long-term financial flexibility.